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Pirates get $1.67 million ransom; ships freed
Meanwhile, outlaws demand $25 million to free giant tanker (above). Story | Video | Map
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U.S.: Raid kills militant blamed in GI death
An al-Qaida in Iraq leader blamed in the 2004 abduction and murder of an Army reservist and other deadly attacks was killed in an American raid in Baghdad, the U.S. military said Thursday.
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Bush to sign legislation to extend jobless aid
Because of the tight job market, the White House says President George W. Bush would sign legislation pending in Congress to further extend unemployment benefits.
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U.S. jobless claims jump to 16-year high
New claims for unemployment benefits jumped last week to a 16-year high, the Labor Department said Thursday, providing more evidence of a rapidly weakening job market.
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AFP - Getty Images file
Getty Images file
Your Biz blog
Small businesses fear Obama tax
Sports Biz
Cal's unique seat-pricing concept
ConsumerMan
AARP exposes shady retirement seminars
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Ocho Cinco benched for breaking team rule
The Cincinnati Bengals say Chad Ocho Cinco, the wide receiver formerly known as Chad Johnson, will be deactivated for Thursday night’s game with the Pittsburgh Steelers for violating a team rule.
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ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Scoop: Jennifer Aniston gets a kick out of ‘Friends’
The “Marley & Me” star tells New York Times magazine, “This is horrible to say, but there are times when I laugh my rear end off.”
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Courtesy Everett Collection
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Retirement dreams give way to despair, anger
A rising number of people have seen their retirement plans evaporate. As 401(k)s dwindle, their dreams of golden years are being replaced by feelings of hopelessness and anger.
Multimedia and features
AP
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Xbox 360 gets a makeover — and avatars
Will “Halo 3” players want to make cute little avatars on their Xbox 360? Well, guess what? They’ll have to. It’s the first thing you’re prompted to do in the New Xbox Experience, the shiny new makeover to the Xbox interface that rolled out on Wednesday.
Multimedia
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Get an early jump on ski season
It's beginning to look a lot like ski season. Thanks to a handful of early storms and legions of snowmaking guns, the ski scene is already picking up around the nation.
Multimedia
Parenting
Experts: Lack of playtime is hurting children
Kids need play to be healthy, learn creativity and social skills, some argue. Full story
Business
L.A. auto show opens under a cloud
Auto industry in crisis; it’s ‘hard to throw a party when you’re dying’. Full story
